Sell Food Products to Supermarkets in Nigeria (2026)

Getting your product onto shelves is a goal for many food producers, and the question we hear most is how to sell food products to supermarkets in Nigeria. The honest answer is that there is no single door. Large and small stores buy through a mix of head-office buyers, distributors and direct local suppliers, and each has its own onboarding process that we cannot describe for you. What we can do is set out what every buyer is entitled to expect from a supplier, based on official Nigerian sources read in October 2026, and a sequence of steps that gets you ready to have the conversation. We make no promise that any store or distributor will buy from you.

Three routes to sell food products to supermarkets in Nigeria

Direct to a store or chain. You approach a supermarket's buying team. Some chains may have a formal supplier process, so ask the store what it is rather than assume.
Through a distributor or wholesaler. The US International Trade Administration's Nigeria guide (last published 5 September 2025) says wholesalers and merchants typically hold stock in the major markets and resell to distributors and retailers. A distributor already serves shops, so you trade some margin for reach. Our guide to starting a wholesale business in Nigeria explains how those traders work.
Online and marketplace buyers. Small retailers and wholesalers also look for suppliers online. See how to sell online in Nigeria.

Most producers use more than one route. A supplier in Kaduna may sell to market traders and local shops first, then approach a regional distributor once supply is steady.

Be legal to sell before you pitch

Any serious buyer will check that your product can legally be sold. NAFDAC's registration guideline says a regulated product cannot be sold or distributed in Nigeria until it is registered. So have your NAFDAC registration number on the pack and the certificate to hand. Our guide to NAFDAC registration for food products walks through the steps. If a Nigerian Industrial Standard applies to your product, ask a SON State Office about MANCAP; see SON MANCAP certification.

Retailers now have a reason to check your label

On 19 August 2026 the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) published a notice on mandatory labelling of manufactured goods. It named missing production dates, expiry or best-before dates, batch numbers, manufacturer details, ingredient lists, allergen information and country of origin as problems, and it directed manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers to review their inventories and withdraw non-compliant goods, warning of enforcement action. The notice is at fccpc.gov.ng. The practical effect is that a store has an incentive to refuse a pack with gaps. Check your artwork against our guide to NAFDAC food labelling requirements before you show it to anyone.

Get a barcode that your buyer can scan

Stores scan products at the till, so a barcode is a practical requirement for many shelves. GS1 Nigeria says on its retail FAQ page that non-GS1 codes can limit where you sell and cites major retailers not accepting them, and that the only way to be sure your barcodes are your own is to get them from GS1. Its barcode page says each variation of each product needs a unique GTIN, only brand owners can apply, registration usually takes 2 to 3 working days after you submit the form, documents and payment, and that you must renew your subscription to keep using your numbers. We have not quoted GS1 fees, since the pages we read do not date any. Ask GS1 Nigeria for the current schedule at gs1ng.org. A buyer may also have its own item-listing requirements, so ask what they need.

Prepare a one-page product sheet

Buyers deal with many suppliers, so make your offer easy to review. A one-page sheet should include:

Product name, pack size, case or carton size, and net content.
Shelf life, storage instructions and your batch and date marking.
NAFDAC registration number, and any other certificate you hold.
Barcode number (GTIN) for each pack and case.
Ex-factory price, order tiers and minimum order, with what is included in delivery. Our guide to how to price food products for wholesalers and supermarkets shows how to build the numbers.
Lead time, monthly supply capacity you can honestly meet, and your delivery area.
Clear photographs of the pack, front and back.

Only promise a supply volume you can deliver. Running out in the first month does more damage than saying no to a large first order.

Approach supermarkets and distributors, and offer samples

Find the right person. Ask by phone or in person who handles supplier enquiries for the category, rather than sending a general email.
Send the product sheet and samples. Offer a sample of the exact pack you will sell, not a special batch.
Ask about the process. Ask how new suppliers are listed, what documents are required, how deliveries are received and how invoices are paid.
Follow up politely. Buyers may need time. Keep a record of whom you spoke to and when.

Agree the terms in writing

Before the first delivery, put the key terms on paper and ask your buyer to confirm them: the price list, order and delivery schedule, delivery location, payment terms and the date payment is due, and what happens to damaged, expired or returned goods. We do not say what any particular store requires, because terms differ. What matters is that you understand them before you ship. Also keep price and promotion records. In February 2024 the FCCPC said it found a store showing lower prices on shelves than it charged at checkout, which it said contravened Section 115 of the FCCPA 2018. If your product is on a shelf, you want prices to be consistent and clearly displayed. Our guide to getting paid safely by African buyers covers payment risk.

The ITA guide also advises thorough due diligence on business partners and warns that fraud is common. Check that a distributor is a registered business, visit their premises if you can, and start with smaller orders. See our guide on how to find verified wholesale suppliers in Nigeria for the checks buyers use, then turn them around on your own buyer.

Frequently asked questions

Do supermarkets in Nigeria require NAFDAC registration? NAFDAC's guideline says regulated food products cannot be sold or distributed until registered, so expect any careful buyer to ask for your NAFDAC number.

Do I need a barcode? GS1 Nigeria says non-GS1 codes can limit where you sell. Ask each buyer what it requires.

Should I use a distributor or go direct? It depends on your volume, delivery capacity and area. Distributors offer reach; direct supply may give you more control. Many producers use both.

How do I stop being paid late? Agree payment terms in writing before delivery, keep signed delivery notes and start with small orders until the buyer proves reliable.

Can Comilmart get my product into a supermarket? We cannot promise listings, orders or buyers. Our marketplace lets approved suppliers respond to buyer requests for quotation and chat with buyers, and buyer protection applies, with payment held until delivery is confirmed and a 7-day window.

Next step

While you work on shop and distributor relationships, make your product visible to other buyers as well. Apply as a supplier at /apply-manufacturer with your company registration number, tax number, business licence and registration certificate uploads, at least two sample product images and your company profile, and choose the B2B category that fits your products. The application is free, and review is stated on the form as taking about 24 to 48 hours. Buyers can send requests at /request-quotation. To sell food products to supermarkets in Nigeria, be registered, labelled correctly, barcoded and priced clearly, and agree every term in writing.